Decapping containers



June 14, 1960 G, w, BAKER 2,940,229

DECAPPING CONTAINERS INVENTOR Gera/d W Baker H/s ATTORNEYS June 14, 1960 Gjw. BAKER DECAPPING CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 10, 1958 INVENTOR. Gera/d Baker BYM Mf/Z HIS ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 G. W. BAKER DECAPPING CONTAINERS June 14, 1960 Filed Nov. 10. 1958 INVENTOR.

Gera/d W. Baker /wfw l05b "D IIO HIS ATTORNEYS June 14, 1960 G. w. BAKER 2,940,229

DECAPPING CONTAINERS Filed Nov. lO, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 HIS ATTRNEYS June 14, 1960 G. w. BAKER DECAPPING CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. l0, 1958 cR-l INVENTOR. 'Gera/d W Baker BY/dm Fig. /3

H/S ATTORNEYS United States Patent O DECAPPENG CNTAINERS Gerald W. Baker, Muncie, Ind., assigner to Ball Brothers Company, Incorporated, Muncie, Ind., a corporation of indiana Filed Nov. lil, 1958, Ser. No. 772,739

19 (laims. (Cl. 53-3) This invention relates to removing closure elements from containers and to a decapping machine for removing temporary closures covering open top end portions of containers.

ln the glass container industry, newly formed containers are not always immediately shipped directly to customers for lling, but may be stored in a Warehouse before being shipped. Since a newly formed glass container is, in effect, sterilized during its manufacture, it is expedient to seal-olf the container so as to maintain the interior thereof in a sterile condition. When this eX- pedient is accomplished, the customer need not rst sterilize the container before lling, but may proceed directly to a lling operation, thereby eliminating the eX- pense of an additional sterilization.

To maintain the interior of a new container in a sterilized condition, it is sealed-off with a cap or top closure immediately after its formation. When the sealed-E container arrives at a customers plant, the customer does not have to process the container through an expensive sterilization procedure, but need only remove the closure.

i have devised procedure and apparatus for automatically removing these temporary closures from the containers when they are to be filled With uid material. The apparatus is adapted to be positioned adjacent a moving conveyor, such as a continuous conveyor, upon which the containers are placed for progressive advancement. An adjustable support is removably secured to a conveyor support and maintains a horizontally adjustable platform in a pre-determined vertical position above the conveyor. A motor is mounted on the platform and has a rotating disc assembly secured to its drive shaft. The rotating disc assembly has an annular resilient portion adjacent its outer circumference. The adjustable support positions the disc assembly at a pre-determined height, so that the resilient portion will contact an edge of the closure member on each container, as the container is moved past the disc by the moving conveyor.

A star Wheel is secured to a side of the conveyor opposite the side to which the adjustable support is secured, so as to position the edge of the closure on each container in abutting contact with the resilient portion of the rotating disc. A collector chute is mounted adjacent the outer face of the rotating disc and receives the closure as it is removed from the container. A compressed air supply line may be employed to direct the closure into the collector chute, after the closure has been removed from the container by being spun up and olf of the container through the action of the rotating disc. An outwardly-projecting frusta-conical deecting surface mounted on the rotating disc concentrically of the resilient portion deflects the removed cap into the collector chute.

An object of my invention has been to devise new and improved procedure for removing caps from containers and to apparatus for carrying out the procedure in accordance with my conception;

Another object of my invention has been to provide 2,940,229 Patented .lune i4, 1960 an automatic decapping apparatus for removing closures from containers as they are continuously moved past a station on a moving conveyor;

An additional object of my invention has been to provide decapping apparatus Which may easily be adjusted to accommodate the removal of closures from various sized and shaped containers;

A further object of my invention has been to provide a resiliently mounted star wheel assembly adapted to accurately urge and position closure members on various shaped containers against a rotating disc so that the closure member may be removed;

A still further object has been to provide a horizontally-adjustable motor mounting assembly adapted to accurately adjust linear and arcuate horizontal positions of a rotating disc secured to the drive shaft of a motor mounted thereon, and to adjust the camber or the disc, so that a closure member positioned on a container passing thereby may be quickly removed;

A further object of my invention has been to provide a rotating disc assembly which removes a closure member trom a container by a frictional rotating action thereagainst, and which directs the removed closure toward a collecting chute;

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and drawings in which:

Figure l is a somewhat schematic side elevational view of an apparatus embodiment of my invention shown in a mounted position adjacent a moving conveyor;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail side elevational view partially in section of a rotating disc assembly mounted on a drive shaft of a motor as shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a detailed crosssectional view in elevation of the outer dellecting plate shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View of a star wheel assembly mounted on a conveyor support;

Figure 5 is Yan end view of a spring-mounted hinged joint shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a sprocket wheel assembly shown in Figure 4 with the mounting brackets omitted for the sake of simplicity;

Figure 7 is an enlarged end elevational view of a motor mounting assembly shown in Figure l;

Figure 8 is a plan vieur of the motor mounting assembly shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view partly in section of the motor mounting assembly shown in Figure 7;

Figure l0 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines X-X of Figure 7;

Figure ll is a side elevational view partly in section of another embodiment of the rotating disc assembly;

Figure 12 is a side elevational View partially in, section of a further embodiment of a rotating disc assembly showing an alternate construction for mounting a rubber strip; and

Figure 13 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating how safety and Warning devices incorporated in my apparatus or machine may be automatically operated or controlled.

Referring particularly to the scnematic layout of Figure l, a conveyor support base 2u retains a conveyor support post in an upright position. A conveyor support bracket Z2 is mounted on the support post 2l. A pair of channel-shaped conveyor guide channels 23 are secured to the support brackets 22. A continuous belt conveyor Zit is shown guided longitudinally across the top of the guide channels 23 by means of center support roller 24a and side roller 24!) (see Figure 4). The conveyor 24 is adapted to receive a plurality of containers 25 in an uprioht position for longitudinal movement y therealongv. l As illustrated in Figure 1, the container 25 may, for example, Vbe a glass jar or bottle. Y

A clamp V26 secures a horizontally-extending support Yrnemb ,er 27 Vtothe conveyor support tube or post 21. An`

upright tube 28 fispositioned for vertical'rnovementt'vvithzin Vthebore of a housing end portion V27aof the horizontalbracket V277.f'I'he-.tubef28 maybe moved vertically, for adjustment purposes by means of. avertical. adjustment.. screwv 3,3fthat `is -operably positioned within thev housingY Y 27a. The Vardjustmentrscrev.' isprovided with a ball head' 33a-rat Vits upperY end to be lreceivedrinV a socket 28a formed-in a solid bottom end portion V28h of tube 28.- Theladjustment screw 33 isthreaded into a nut 275 thatv is Welded at w'tohorizontal bracket 27. A wing. or handle 33b is provided through the screw 33 for adjusting its position withinnut 27b.V A vertically-splitY U-shaped guide brace or guide 29 is secured to the guide channels,` 23 to'slidably retainthe upright ,supporti post 28 ina vertical position, The vertically-split U-shaped guide brace, f

in erecL is formedY by two L-shapedbrackets, each rhavingone leg secured to a portion of one of the guide channels 23 by means of vertically-adjustable locking block 23a (see'Figure 4'). The other legs terminate in aspacial relationship fromone another, Vadjacent the back of theV supportr'tube 28.- The blocks 29a have horizontally-- extending-flanges 29h which overlie an upper portion of Y the channels 23. A clamp screw 29e adjustably secures each block to the'brace29. `A portion of the guide brace 29jpasses'beneath the channels 23 and is clamped theretok by means Vof a ilanged` plate 29d which overlaps bottom portions of the channels andris bolted to the guide.- yThe plate29dprevents the channelsrfrorn being bent inwardly.

Y An adjustable motor mounting assembly 30 is securedv to and'mounted onY the toprofV the upright supporting post or tube 28 (see/Figure 1),.V A horizontal adjusting ballscrew 31; extends backwardly from the adjustable motormounting assembly 30 and is adapted toV impart horizontal adjustment :to a portion `of the mounting assembly.

A1 motor-32 ispositioned on the horizontally adjustable portion of the mounting assembly 30.V

wheel .assembIy 35 is'secured to abracket 63V (Figure 4) that'is fixed .toV a guide channel 23, and has a plurality` of vertically spaced-apart idler star wheels lrotatably secured thereto; The star wheels are rotated 'along aside of the upright Vcontainers'ZS as thecontainers va'reemoved.` atthe 'station representedthereby on the conveyor'24. 'Ihe star Wheel assembly 35 contacts each containerrandholds Aa cap,lid or closure'element 38 carried Vby an upper open'end portion thereof inoperable engagement-with` the-frotating disc assembly 34. The ystar wheel assembly V35 is mounted on the channel 23 with a springtensioned An air line 41 (see Figure l) for delivering compressed Vair fromV a suitable Vsource (not shown) isi-positioned adjacent the bottom of the rotating disc assembly to assist and direct each removed cap element 38 into the collector chute 37. A signaling or indicator device 42C.' such as a horn, is mounted on a portion of an electrical box assembly 42 comprising a photocell cabinet area 42a,vand an electrical wiringarea 42b. The indicator de-A vice 42o-is Voperatively.connected to sound a Warning if it has moved past the rotating disc assembly. The warning is actuated by an impulse from the photo-cell device, caused when an uncapped container interrupts the beam between photo-cell light source 42d and photo-cell eye 42e.

Referring now to the detailed view shown in Figure 2, the motor 32 is held in position on the adjustable motor mounting assembly 30 ,byY means of a spring-tensioned retaining clamp 43. The clamp' 43 has a front catch bracket 44( andga rar catci bracket145 which bear resilientlyagainst theiront andrear, respectively,`of the motor 32, and concentrically of its drive shaft 45.. The drive shaft 46 has a-collar 47 -securedthereto by means `of a tightening bolt 48 and a set screw 49 which prevents relative rotation therebetween The Ycollar 47 is provided with a smoothly surfaced disc mounting hub Sil of a lesser diameter than a rearward portion 47 of the collar. TheA disc mounting hub `5t) has ya .threaded for- Y' warclly.projecting.stubV endl portionV 51 of' lesser diameter.

Y yA' rotating disc assembly 34 is shown lmounted'ron l,the -V drive shaft of the motor 32. A vertically-projecting star'v portion 51 to retain'the nut-56 thereon.

A center'boredback and hasa` counter bore 52 which receives the nose of the rearward Yportion 47, ofthe co11ar47.k A centrally-bored, resilient. contactdisc 53of rubber or other suitable ma; terial, ismounted. on the hub 50 and secured to theback disc 52 by means ofcounter sunk screws 54. An outer disc-shaped plate55 having a central `bore 69. and a.

counter borei 59 (see-Figure-S), is mounted on-Ythe hub 50, so vthat the noseof. the Vhub .projects into Ythe .counter bore` 59. A. retaining nut 56 is threaded over the threaded `forward stud portionSl of the collar 47, and abuts against a recessedV front surface portion 62! of the plate 55 to hold the plate in abuttingrcontact.with the Edisc 53. A` cotterl pin 57' is slid through a sloti in the` of the-cap-element -after its removal and directs Vthe capV outwardly/away from the -moving discand toward the collecting chute 37.V I haVeobtained satisfactory results by utilizing Van` angle of approximately` degrees bebetween-thefrustroeconicaldeliecting surface 58 and the operating surface53aof the disc 53. 'Y

The-distance from the top of the bottle'and the surface ofthe deecting face is alsoimportant'andshould be carefully controlled to'obtain optimum operable results. If the topriof the bottle'is too closefto the'deecting face 58, the cap elementV 38Wil1 not-clear the face upon removal, and ifv the' distance isv too tar, the surfacewill be completely ineffective. lhaveffound that. optimum results'are obtained-whenV the distancerbetweenthe top of ofthe: bottle'. and the deecting face 58 is at least the height of the cap. Y

As showninFigure 3, the outer plate 55 is Vprovided with apluralityof knife-like annular projections 61 protrudingfom its back surface. These projections 6i imbed themselves withinfthe front surface of the disc 1533V when the Ynutr56 has been tightened,- and therefore,` the discs 52, 53,1nd'555all rotate simultaneously Vwith one secured to the'vertical bracket V63 by means of azbolt 65 passingytherethrough. .A firm rubbermountingwasher 66fvis positioned between .theheadof the bol-tV and the horizontal bracket 647.7 AnV axle.V housing and vsupport member 67 is secured-to-thehorizontal bracket `64 by.V

a closure element is not removed from a container-after I5 neansfohinge 68which is se'cureldftoV theaxlelhousing discr52' is mountedon the hub 55 3, the plate 55is 67 and horizontal bracket 64 by set screws 69 (see Figure 5). A plurality of spring leaves 70 are compressibly retained against a back side of the housing 67 and the bracket 64 by the hinge 68. The joint formed between the housing 67 and the bracket 64 is therefore a spring-tensioned hinged joint, wherein the leaf springs normally retain the axle housing in a vertical position. This spring-tensioned hinged joint permits the entire star wheel assembly to exibly move inwardly and outwardly as required to suit the individual positioning of each container 25, and therefore, accommodates any variance in the size or shape of the containers.

A vertically-extending axle 71 having a threaded portion 71 at its upper end, is retained and housed at its lower end in a recess or bore 72 formed in the upper end of the axle housing and support member 67. A cross pin 74 passes through a transverse bore 73 in the housing 67 and through a complementary bore in the axle 71 to removably retain the axle in a non-rotatable position within the housing. As noted in Figure 4, the lower ends of both the axle 71 and recess 72 may be of complementary conical shape.

An upper spindle 75 is rotatively mounted on the axle 71. The spindle carries an upper star wheel 76 and a lower star wheel 77. An end thrust bearing housing 78 is positioned between the lower star wheel 77 and the top of the housingT 67. Bearing housing 73 contains a plurality of thrust bearings 79 which permit free rotation of the spindle 75. Needle bearings Si) and 81 are also provided for the upper and lower star wheels 76 and 77, respectively. The upper star wheel 76 has a collar S2 secured thereto. Retaining nut S3 is positioned on the threaded portion 71 to retain the spindle 75 and star wheels 76 and 77 on the axle 71.

As noted in Figure 6, each of the star wheels is provided with a plurality of soft, pliable, resilient lingers 84. rl'he fingers 84 may be made of rubber, sponge rubber, or any other suitable material. These fingers 84 are imbedded in each segment of the star wheel and serve to resiliently grip the surfaces of the containers 25 in a gentle manner and eliminate scratches and other surface defects which would be formed on the outer surface of the containers .25, it they were exposed to direct contact with the hard-surfaced star wheels. `ln addition, the rubber fingers eliminate a chattering action between the container and the star wheel which would otherwise be present it the tingers were not used.

As each container 25 is moved along by conveyor 24,

it contacts an arcuate segment of the star wheels and rotates the star wheel, so that the container is positioned within an arcuate segment, as shown in Figure 6, The rubber fingers 84 resiiiently urge the top or upper end portion of the container towards the rotating operating surface 53a so that its closure element 38 is in abutment therewith for removal. A pair of guide rods or rails S5 are mounted longitudinally of the conveyor 24. and on each side thereof to further guide the containers 25 as they pass along the station provided by my decapping apparatus or machine.

leferring now to the adjustable motor mounting assembly 3l), as shown in Figures 7 through l0, a horizontal support bar 56 is positioned within a slot S6 formed across the upright supporting post or tube 28, adjacent its upper end. The horizontal support bar S6 is retained in a stationary relationship with the supporting post 2S by means o a lock pin S7 which is passed through complementary bores within the support ybar and supporting post.

A base member 8S is secured 'to the top of the horizontal support bar 86 by means of counter-sunk screws 89. The base member SS has an outwardly-extending surface 88a for mounting a signaling device and other instruments thereon. A recess 88h is formed in an upper surface adjacent the back end of the base member. An

intermediate member is adjustably secured to the base member SS by means of bolts 91 positioned through enlarged slots 92 formed within the member 90. The bolts are threaded into threaded bores 93 formed within the base member 88. When the bolts 91 are loosened, the slots 92 permit the intermediate member 90 to be adjusted in both transverse and arcuate directions.

Means for imparting the arcuate movement to the intermediate member 9d is shown in Figures 8 and 9. A bifurcated bracket 9d, having inner bifurcated end portions 95 and 96, is mounted on the base member 88, so that the upper bifurcated end portion 95 tits into the recess 88h formed in the base member 85. A press t pin 97 locks the bracket 94 to the base member 8S by being frictionally engaged Within complementary bores formed in the bifurcated end portions and the base member. An internally-threaded, female bracket 98 is pivotally mounted on the bifurcated bracket 94 by means of a pivot axle 99 that is secured to the female bracket 98 by means of a retaining cross pin 1439. The pivot axle 99 rotatively projects into a vertical bore 94a formed within the bracket 94. A ball screw 161 having a spherical, ball-shaped head 102, is threaded Within the female bracket 98 for longitudinal adjustment movement therein. The ball head 192 is operably positioned within a recessed chamber 163 formed within a side edge of intermediate member 9d. It thus can be seen that when the bolts 91 are loosened, the intermediate member 96 may be adjusted in both an arcuate and transverse manner by adjusting the position of the ball screw lill within the female bracket A pair of parallel, longitudinally-extending, side rails 104 are shown positioned (see Tfiigures 7 and 9) on the top of the intermediate member 9i), adjacent opposed side edges thereof. A pair of parallel, longitudinally-extending, chute-mounting brackets 105 are mounted on the -top portions of the side rails 194 by means of screws 1% which pass through bores 107 and 193 within the chute-mounting brackets 195 and rails 164, respectively, and are threaded into threaded Abores 109 for-med within intermediate member 99. The chute-mounting brackets 105 have upwardly slanting strap portions 195o that are provided with bolt-receiving hole portions 19515 for mounting the collector chute 37 or vFigure 1.

A top plate 11'@ is slidably positioned on top of the intermediate plate 9 and between the parallel longitudinally-extending side rails 1&4. As noted in Figure 7, the chute-mounting brackets 11i-5 extend outwardly over the top portions of the side rails 1&4 and help to operably retain the top plate 11@ between the side rails 104. As shown particularly in Figures 8 and l0, a ball-headed adjusting screw means 31 is provided for imparting horizontal movement to the top plate 11i?. An L-shaped bracket 111 having a flange portion 112, is mounted on the adjustable motor-mounting assembly 39, so lthat the ilange portion 112 is positioned within a recess 113 formed within the intermediate member 96. A retaining pin 114 passes through complementary bores within the intermediate plate 94E and the iiange portion 112 and secures the bracket 111 to the motor mounting assembly 30. The upper portion of the L-shaped member 111 is provided with a horizontal, internally-threaded bore 115. A ball screw 31 has a ball head 11S operably positioned within a recess portion 119 formed within the top plate 11d. The screw 31 is provided with male threads 116 which are cooperatively threaded Within internally-threaded bore 115 for longitudinal movement therein. The top plate may be adjustably positioned horizontally-backwardly and forwardly between the side rails 1M by adjusting the position of the screw 31 within the bore 115.

The motor 32 is mounted on the top plate 110 by means of the spring-tensioned retaining clamp 43, and a rotating disc assembly is mounted on the drive shaft of the motor. Therefore, by adjusting the position of 7 the screwfV 31 within the bore Y115, the rotatingjdiscas-h sembly may be accurately positioned over` the'conveyor. 24 to progressively-operably engage Vcap elements 384orr container's25, as they are moved thereby by thejconveyorV 24. In addition, the camber'of the rotating disc assembly, including the frontY operating surfaceY 53fz-.of the rubber disc 53, mayV be adjusted b y adjusting the position ofscrew 101 withinthe bracket 9S. These-two easily madeadjustments are important to achieve optimum results. 'In addition, the screw 31 maybe used to move both'the motor and the rubber disc to compensate for wearing of the disc. Y

Another embodiment of my rotating disc assembly is illustrated in Figure 11. This rotatingfdisc assembly 120V comprises Van outer rim or band 121 that is secured to a main body drumplate 122 by means of screws 123.-

A pluralityV of longitudinally-extendingarcuate slots 124' are formed in the base Vof `the outerrim 121. The main body plateY 122 is provided with external threads 125 upon which Van internally-threaded ring nut 126 isfse-V cured. `A rubber strip 127 of annular congurationispositioned between the main body piate 122 and theV outer` rim "121. i A series of cross, slots 129 are provided in the ring nut 126 for inserting a spider wrenchj(not shown) to tighten the nut. A Ithread'unclercut130 used to allow thread tool relief is formed withinj the vmain. body 122 adjacent the rubber strip 127. f Y

The main body plate 122 is provided'with a frustro- Y conical deflecting 'face V131 to deflect cap elements into the collector chute, and is similar to the face 58 formed in outer-plate 55 of rotating disc assembly 34. `'I'he forward `face of the main body plate 122 is providedV with a recessed portion 132. An outer counter-bore 133 and an inner counter-bore 134 are provided concentrically of a center bore 135. The outer counter-bore'133 is 'adapted to receive an enlarged rearward portion 47' of collar 47, Vand the inner counter-bore 134 is adapted to receive threaded stub end portion 51 therethrough, so that the rotating disc assembly 120 may be securedirr placeV on the drive shaft 46 of motor 32 when retaining nutV 56`is tightened on the threaded portion'l; Y

One advantage derived from this embodiment'is the greater life gained from the rubberV abutment strip 127. Afurther advantage is the saving derivedrfrom rless waste I of rubber, since strips ofjrubber 127 are kused inY this embodiment, Vrather, than arubber disc 53, as'usedbinV the rotating disc assembly 34. The rubber strip 127 hasV anoperating or abutment edge surface V127" which may be `moved outwardly VbyV tightening ring nut 126Y as the surface becomes worn down. The strip 127 is frictionally YheldV in place between outerV rim 121 and body'plate- 122 to prevent slippage.Y V The strips are preferablyvmade Vof a non-toxic rubber ot' thesilicon variety havingl a. Y durometerhardness ofabout 50.

v to engagef an Vinner edge portion of an annular rubber to receive hub 50, Whereas center bore 135' is adapted strip; 1`421that` is Y'frictionallyV held within the annular'rel` Y cess 138. Y

Bjr-'adjusting .the pressurescrews, the? rubber strip v141 may Veasily be urgedoutwardly, so that its-operatingfor abutment lsurface'142 may be aligned to operably engage `a jclosure element 3S.V A frustro-conical annular deectinglface' 143 'is formed'fradiallyeinwardly ofithlefoperatx ing surface 142 endxextends axially forwardly thereof,

so'astodeect-a closure element as itfisremoved'from av container. A- recessed-portion-q144 is formedV in the forward faceof the body plate 137, radially-inwardly of the annular deflecting face 143.- The body plate isfpro'- videdwith'counter-bores,147 and 146 Vand'center bore 145,.so Ythat the rotatingk disc assembly may be conveniently mounted onthe collar 47 and mountinghub Y50l in a likeY manner to the rotating'disc assembly 124): When the operatingsurface Y142 becomes Worn andno longer:operativelyengages-a closure element, the piressure screws 141) are threaded inwardly into the bores 139, to urge the rubber stripV 141 outwardly. Y In addition, -the pressure Vscrews 140, being arcuately spacedapart may be selectively threadedrinto the threadedbores 13910` compensate for uneven' wear on the operating surfaceY 142. v

Myapparatus Vor machine is mounted on a conveyor support andpositioned adjacentl a side of the conveyor. A-Vmotor 32,.such as an electric motor, isI mounted on a motor mounting assembly 30 and a rotating disc assembly. 34,.120-orv 137 is mounted on the drive Ysha-ft of' the motor. The vertical position of the rotating disc assembly Yis adjusted by the vertical adjustment'screw 33 andthe horizontal position and camber of the rotating disc. assembly is adjusted byk means ofV ball screws 31 and 101, respectively. Y Conveyor 24 continuously moves a plurality of containers 25 past the rotating disc assembly. The star wheel assembly 35 which is driven by the pressure of the containers'25 being moved'by the conveyor, holds the topcap elements 38 of the containers against the rotating rubber operating surface which contacts -the closure elements and removes the closures'by spinning them oi. A deiiector face on theV rotating disc assembly directs therclosures towards collector chute 37. The air pressure line ilV may beV also used to assist in directing the cap elements'intoV the` collector chute, if desi-red. VIndicator means, such as the'horn 42C mayV be' positioned adjacent the decapping machine to sound a warning if aV cap is not completely removed.

-As-canY be seen from the .foregoing operational description, my new machine normally operates in a continuous manner dependent upon the-speedof the conveyor, rather than ina step-by-stepor stopand-go manner.

Since it is conceivable that lthe conveyor may occasion a failure and stop with a container in an operable positionabutting therotatingdisc, I have` devised a safety device which may be incorporated with my .machine to shut-ovithe motor 32, shouldV this type, ofY failure occur. Ihe safety device comprises, a micro-switch bracket '18 (Figure Vl) that 'is secured to the underside of base ,plate 38, a horizontally-slidable arm member 13b adjustably retained within the micro-switch bracket 18, anda pivotai connection c normally urging a roller arm'19'out- Wardly'over the conveyor 24. Therollervarn1'19 is provided with a contactY rolier 19a' of resilient'material which' contacts each container 25 as it is moved thereby. Asthe container 25 passes the roller 19o, it urges the roller arm 19 backwardly against tension imparted by the pivotal connection 18C and opens a YlimitV switch LS-lA (Figure 13) to momentarily cut-off power to the motor 32; The roller arm 19 will assume its normal outward Vposition when the container 25 has passed by the roller 19a', therebyclosing the limit switch IIS-land again'restoring power to the motor 32. However,Y should the Vconveyor 24 stop Vwith a container 25 in an operable abutting relation'withk the rotating-disc assembly 34, the roller 19a and roller arm 19 will be retained in a back; Ward-position by the container 25 and therefore the limit switch'LSJLwill be retained inan operi position, thereby stopping. the'motor32, to avoid excessive abrasion-to the rotatingpdisc assembly 34 andthe top of the container 25.

'Eig1ue113 iiiustrates thefposition and operation ofthe limit switch :LS-1 within f theelectricalf circuit."-Y

figure also shows the wiring diagram for the audio signal or horn 42e which is sounded if a closure member is not removed from the container. The horn is activated for a short duration by the closure member interrupting the light beam between the light source 42d and the photo cell 42e.

The three-phase input leads to motor 32 are interrupted by normally-opened contacts CR-l which are closed when relay RY-l is energized. The relay RY-I is in a single phase circuit which is tapped-off the threephase circuit by means of double pole throw switch SW-i. A control transformer T-Z is connected across this single phase line. A pilot light P-l is connected in parallel with a transformer T-Z in order to check for power (current flow) on the input line. In addition, the single phase line contains relay RY-l in series with the normally closed limit switch LS-l.

When power is applied to the three-phase and the switch .SW-1 is closed, the normally closed limit switch LS-l will energize the relay RY-l to close the normally open contacts (2R-l. As a result, power will energize the motor 32 to activate the rotating disc assembly. However, when a container passes by the roller arm 19, the limit switch LS-l will be momentarily opened, thereby de-energizing the relay RY-l and opening the contacts CR-l to momentarily cut-E power to the motor 32. This momentary de-energization of the motor 32 is not of suiiicient duration to completely stop the rotating disc assembly, and the inertia of the disc assembly is sufticient to remove the cap element on the container which is in operational Contact therewith. However, should the conveyor 24 have a failure and stop with a container 2S in operational engagement with the rotating disc, then the switch LS-l will be maintained in an open position by the roller arrn 19, which will retain the relay RY-i in a de-energized state and therefore, the contacts CR-l will remain open and the motor 32 and the rotating disc assembly will come to rest.

P-2 and P-S, shown in Figure 13, are also pilot lights utilized as visual signals to indicate the presence of power Within the secondary circuit and for indicating the presence of faulty fuses, respectively. T-i vis a center tap transformer. TS is a terminal strip having nine terminals. R4, R-Z and R-S are resistors, and PT-l is a potentiometer. C-l, C-2 and C-3 are condensers, and X- is a rectifier. A relay RY-Z normally retains switch contact CR-Z in a closed position and switch Contact CR-3 in an open position. In operation, if a container, whose closure element has not been removed by the rotating disc assembly, passes between the light source 42d and the photo cell 42e, the closure element will interrupt the light beam therebetween, thereby activating the relay RY-2. When so activated, the normally closed switch contact CR-Z is opened and the normally opened switch contact CR-3 is closed, whereby current is permitted to flow through the horn 42C to produce an audible signal and Warn the operator of this condition.

Although I have illustrated severalembodiments of my invention, I do not limit my invention to those shown and described, as many modications may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. Apparatus for automatically removing closure elements from successively presented sealed containers cornprising, rotating disc means, means for momentarily positioning a closure element of each successively presented container in contact with said rotating disc means, a resilient arcuate surface on said rotating disc means for engaging and removing the contacted closure element, and an adjacent frusto-conical surface on saidV rotating disc assembly for deecting the removed closure element away from said resilient arcuate surface.

2. Apparatus for automatically removing closure elements from successively presented containers comprising:v support means, a horizontally adjustable platform positioned on said support means, a motor mounted on said platform, a rotating disc assembly connectably driven by said motor, means for urging each container toward said rotating disc assembly and for positioning a closure element thereon 4in operable engagement with the rotating disc assembly for removal of the closure element, an endless conveyor having a support means for continuously transporting the containers past said rotating disc assembly, and said means for urging the containers toward said rotating disc assembly comprising a star wheel assembly resiliently and flexibly mounted on the conveyor support means for relative movement transversely of said conveyor to automatically compensate for variation in sizes and shapes of the containers.

3. Apparatus for automatically removing closure elements from successively presented containers comprising: support means, a horizontally adjustable platform positioned on said support means, a motor mounted on said platform, a rotating disc assembly connectably driven by said motor, means for urging each container toward said rotating disc assembly and rfor positioning a closure element thereon in operable engagement with the rotating disc assembly for removal of the closure element, and said rotating disc assembly comprising an annular resilient contacting portion having an operating surface for frictionally engaging a closure element, and a frustoconical deiecting face positioned radially-inwardly of said operating surface to deflect a removed closure element outwardly away therefrom.

4. Apparatus for automatically removing closure elements from successively presented containers comprising: support means, a horizontally adjustable plaform positioned on said support means, a motor mounted on said platform, a rotating disc assembly connectably driven by said motor, means for urging each container toward said rotating disc assembly fand for positioning a closure element thereon in operable engagement with the rotating disc assembly for removal of the closure element; said horizontally-adjustable platform comprising: a base member secured to the top of said support means, an intermediate member adjustably secured to the base member, means for transversely and arcuately positioning said intermediate member, a top plate for mounting the motor and slidably maintained on said intermediate plate, and means -for adjustably positioning the top plate forwardly and backwardly with respect to the intermediate plate to thereby adjustably position Ithe rotating disc assembly, so as to operatively engage closure elements on the continuously moving containers as they are moved past the rotating disc assembly.

5. A machine for continuously removing temporary closure elements positioned on a plurality of containers continuously moving past the machine on a supported conveyor comprising, support means secured to the conveyor support, a vertically-adjustable upright member secured to said support means, means for adjusting the vertical position of said upright member with respect to said support means, a horizontally-adjustable platform secured to the top of said upright member, a motor positioned `on said horizontally-adjustable platform, a rotating disc assembly connected to the drive shaft of said motor, an annular operating surface on said rotating disc assembly for contacting closure elements on the containers as they pass thereby, means for urging the closure element on each container into an operable engagement with said operating `surface to form a frictional engagement therebetween for removing the closure element, means for deflecting a removed closure element into a collecting chute, said horizontally-adjustable platform having means for adjusting the camber and transverse positioning of the operating surface with respect to the travel of the containers alongV the conveyor, and the vertically-adjustable means for said upright member positioning the-vertical position of the operating surfacerwith respect to Ythe closure elements, A Y

6, Ar machine for continuously removing temporary closure elements positioned on a plurality of-containers Vcentinuously moving past the machine on a supported sembly for contacting closureelements on the containers as they pass thereby, means for urging the closure element on each containery into an operable engagement with said operating surface to form a frictional engagement therebetween for removing the Yclosure element, means for deecting a removed closurerelement intoa collecting chute; said Yrotating 4disc assembly comprising -an annular back disc, a resilient contact disc of Vgreater diameter than said back disc and having a forward operatingrs'urface, and an outer disc-shaped plate of smaller diameter than said backV disc having a frusto-conical defiecting surface adjacent the operating surface of said contact disc to deilect removed closure elements away therefrom.

Y7. -A machine for continuously removing temporary closure elements positioned on a pluralityof-containers continuously moving past the machine on'a supported.

conveyor comprising, support means securedto the conveyor support, a vertically-adjustablel upright member securedV to saidsupport means, means for adjusting the "verticall position of said uprightmem-ber with Arespect to. said support means, a ht)rizontallyfadjustable'platformY secured Yto the top of said upright member, a motor posi- 'tioned on said Vhorizontally-adjstable platform, a rotatingdisc assembly connected tothe driveshaft of said motor, Van annular operating surface on said rotating disc assembly for contactingV closure ,elementsV on lthe containers they pass thereby, Ymeans Afor urging the closure element on each container intoan-operable engagement with said operating surface'to forma Vfrictional engagement Vtherebetween for removing Ythe closure element, means -for deecting. a removed closure element intoV a collecting'chute; said rotating Vdisc Y assembly comprising: an Vannular main body plate, an outerrimrsecured to said main body plate,Y an 'annular recess formed between said outer rim andsaid main body plate, Va ring nut threaded within said annular recess, a resilientrrubber "strip frictionally retained within said recess forwardly of said` ring nut and having a forward operating surface, a plurality of longitudinally-extending slots Vformed in a base portion of said outer rim for inserting` a spider Wrench therethrough to rotate said ring `nut and thereby urge said resilient strip forwardly to compensate for wear onY the operating surface, and said main body plate having a frusto-conical forwardly-projecting .deflecting surface radially-inwardly of said operating surface ftordeec't removed closure elements away from said rotating disc assembly. Y

8. A machine for continuouslyremoving temporary closure elements positioned on'a plurality of "contains ers continuously moving past the machine on a supported conveyor comprising, supprtmeans secured to the Vconveyor support,` a vertically-adjustable upright member secured to said support means, means for adjusting the vertical position of said upright member with respect to said support meansga horizontally-adjustable platform :secured to the'top of vsaid upright member., a motor positioned on` said vhorizontally-adjustable platform, a rotating discassembly connected tothe drive shaft ofsaid motor, an annular operating surface, on-said ro- '12 tatng disc assembly for contacting closure "elements on the containers as they pass thereby, means for urging the closure element on each container into an operable engagement with said operating surface to form a frictional engagement; therebetween for removing the closure element, means for deflecting a removed closureV element into aollecting chute; said rotating disc assembly comprising: an annular unitary body plate, an annular recess formedin the forward Yface of said body plate adjacent its o uter periphery, a plurality of arcuatelyspaced-apart threaded bores formed in a rear face of said body plate and communicating with the bottom' of said annular'recess, a rubber strip frictionally'retained within said annular recess and having a forward operating surface, an adjustable pressure screw positioned within eachY threadedA bore to operatively engage a bottom portion of said rubber strip and urge it forwardly to compensate .for wear on the operating surface, andan annularfdeflecting face extending Yaxially-forwardly and radially-inwardly of the Voperatingrsurface for deecting a closure member as it is removed from a container.

Y 9; Apparatusfor automaticallyA removing closure elements from a plurality of containers as :they are transportedv on` a conveyor which comprises, support means adjacent said conveyora horizontally-adjustable platform secured tofsaid support means, means for vertically-adjusting said horizontally-adjustable p1atform, a motor mount-Y edv on said horizontally-adjustable platform, arotating disc assembly operatively connected to the drive shaft of said motor, an operating surface on said rotating disc assembly for frictionally engaging and removing va closure t element on each container as they pass thereby, collecting means for collecting removed closure elements, means for deilecting removed closure elementsy toward and into saidcollectingvmeans, a star wheelY assembly resiliently mounted adjacent the conveyor for urging the closure elementon each container into an operative relation with the operating surfacetof the rotating disc assembly as the c ontainer'is transported thereby on the conveyor, a photo electric cell, a light source directs a light beam to vsaid photo electric cell that is interrupted by the presence'of `a closure element retained on a container after ythe` con tainenhas passed the rotating disc assembly, an electric relay and an electric sound device, an electric circuitV connecting said cell tol said relay, `a switch contact, and an electric circuit connecting said relay through said vswitch contact to said sound device, all in such a manner that an interruption of thetlight beam will cause said cell to energize said relay to close said switch contact and energize said'sound device. j

10. Apparatus for automatically removingclosureelements from a plurality of containers as they areftransported on a conveyor whichV comprises, support means adjacent said conveyor, ahorizontally-adjustable platform secured to saidV support means, `means for vertically-adjusting said horizontally-'adjustable platform, a motor mounted on said'horizontally-adjustable platform, a roe tatng disc assembly operatively connected to the' drive shaft of said motor, an operating surface on Vsaid rotating disc assembly for frictionally engaging and removing a closure element on each container as they pass thereby, collecting means for collecting removed closure elements, means forY deecting removed closilre elements toward and into said collecting means, a starrwhcel assembly resiliently mounted adjacent the conveyor for urging .the closure element on each container into an operative relation with the operating surface/of `the 4rotating disc assembly Aas the containertis transported therebyl on Vthe conveyor, said star wheel assembly comprising: a horizontal bracket secured adjacent said conveyor, a normally vertically-'disposed axle housing hinged to said horizontal bracket, aV plurality of spring leaves resilientlyurging said axleV housing into a vertical positibma spindlerotatably mounted'on'rsaidaxlehousing, a .plurality of vertically#y disposed star wheels secured to said spindle above said axle housing, a plurality of resilient lingers secured to each arcuate face of the star Wheels to provide a cushioned contact with the side of each of the containers as they are conveyed thereby, and said spring leaves providing a flexible outward deection of the spindle and aXle housing to accommodate for variations in container walls.

1l. Apparatus for automatically removing closure elements from a plurality of containers as they vare transported on a conveyor which comprises, support means adjacent said conveyor, a horizontally-adjustable platform secured to said support means, means for verticallyadjusting said horizontally-adjustable platform, a motor mounted on said horizontally-adjustable platform, a rotating disc assembly operatively connected to the drive shaft of said motor, an operating surface on said rotating disc assembly for frictionally engaging and removing a closure element on each container as they pass thereby, collecting means for collecting removed closure elements, means for deecting removed closure elements toward and into said collecting means, a star wheel assembly resiliently mounted adjacent the conveyor for urging the closure element on each container into an operative relation with the operating surface of the rotating disc assembly as the container is transported thereby on the conveyor, and safety means for de-energizing the motor and accordingly stopping the rotating disc assembly when the conveyor stops with a container in operable engagement with the rotating disc assembly.

12. Apparatus for automatically removing closure elements from a plurality of containers as they are transported on a conveyor which comprises, support means adjacent said conveyor, a horizontally-adjustable platform secured to said support means, means Ifor verticallyadjusting said horizontally-adjustable platform, a motor mounted on said horizontally-adjustable platform, a rotating disc assembly operatively connected to the drive shaft of said motor, an operating surface on said rotating disc assembly for frictionally engaging and removing a closure element on each container as they pass thereby, collecting means for collecting removed closure elements, means for deflecting removed closure elements toward and into said collecting means, a star wheel assembly resiliently mounted adjacent the conveyor for urging the closure element on each container into an operative relation with the operating surface of the rotating disc assembly as the container is transported thereby on the conveyor, safety meansV for de-energizing the motor and accordingly stopping the rotating disc assembly when the conveyor stops with a container in operable engagement with the rotating disc assembly, said safety means comprising, a roller arm assembly normally urged outwardly over the conveyor, a normally closed limit switch operatively connected to said roller arm assembly, said roller arm being urged inwardly by contact with a passing container to open said normally closed limit switch, and a relay de-energized by the opening of said limit switch to open a power supply circuit leading to said motor.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein, the successively presented containers are continuously transported linearly past the rotating disc assembly on an endless conveyor mounted on a conveyor support; and said support means comprises: a horizontal bracket secured to a lower portion of the conveyor support, a horizontal guide member secured to an upper portion of the conveyor support, and a vertically adjustable upright tubular member adjustably retained by said horizontal support bracket and slidably guided by said horizontal guide member, wherein the vertical position of said horizontally-adjustable platform land accordingly the rotating disc assembly, may be accurately adjusted.

14. A machine for continuously removing temporary closure elements positioned on a plurality of containers continuously moving past the machine on a supported conveyor comprising, support means secured to the conveyor support, -a vertically adjustable upright member secured to said support means, means for adjusting the vertical position of said upright member with respect to said support means, a horizontally-adjustable platform secured to the top of said upright member, a motor positioned on said horizontally-adjustable platform, a rotating disc assembly connected to the drive shaft of said motor, an annular operating surface on said rotating disc assembly for frictionally contacting and removing closure elements on the containers :as they pass thereby, means for urging the closure element on each container into an operable engagement with said operating surface to form a fn'ctional engagement therebetween for facilitating the Iremoval of the closure element, and frusto-conical deiiecting means on said rotating disc assembly for deecting a removed closure element into a collecting chute.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein, said means for urging a closure member into operable engagement with said operating surface comprises a star wheel assembly, said star Wheel assembly being llexibly and resiliently secured to a side of the conveyor support opposite the upright member for transverse movement away from the conveyor to compensate for variations in size and shape of said containers, and resilient fingers are positioned on operating surfaces of said star wheel assembly to gently grip the containers.

16. Apparatus for automatically removing closure elements from a plurality of containers as they are transported on a conveyor which comprises, support means adjacent said conveyor, a horizontally-adjustable platform secured to said support means, means for verticallyadjusting said horizontally-adjustable platform, a motor mounted on said horizontally-adjustable platform, a vertically positioned rotating disc assembly operatively connected to a horizontal drive shaft of said motor, an operating surface on said rotating disc assembly for frictionally engaging and removing a closure element on each container as they pass thereby, collecting means for collecting removed closure elements, frusto-conical deiiecting means on said rotating disc assembly for detlecting removed closure elements toward and into said collecting means, a star wheel assembly mounted adjacent the conveyor yfor urging the closure element on each container into an operative relation with the operating surface of the rotating disc assembly as the container is transported thereby on the conveyor, and means on said star wheel assembly for automatically compensating for variations in the width of the containers.

17. Apparatus las defined in claim 16 wherein an alarm system is provided adjacent said horizontally-adjustable platform, and said alarm system has means for activating an audio signal when a container passes the rotating disc assembly without its closure element being removed.

18. A method of removing closure elements from a plurality of containers comprising the steps o-f continuously moving the containers -along a conveyor, rotating a disc in a substantially vertical plane adjacent the conveyor, urging each container against the rotated disc, spinning olf a closure element therefrom, deflecting-directing the spun-olf closure element toward a chute, and collecting the removed closure element.

19. Apparatus -for automatically removing closure elements from successively presented sealed containers comprising, rotating disc means, a star wheel assembly positioned transversely across from said rotating disc means for momentarily positioning a closure element of each successively presented container in contact with said rotating disc means, resilient means mounting said star wheel assemblyfordeflection away lfrom said rotating disc means to 'automatically compensate forvariations in Yremoved'closure element away'from said arcuate surlface. Y

K References Cited inthe le of patentv UNITEUsTATEs PATENTS lm. www

M. A mam., LA 

